To Share Findings and Challenges in Conducting Health Impacts Assessment in Remote Geophysical Locations in the Third World Countries

摘要

Study objectives – To share findings and challenges in conducting health impacts assessment in remote geophysical locations in the third world countries Design – Rapid health impact assessment involving brain storming sessions , work through observations of the current and incoming locations, engaging individual interviews with few key informants and literature review. Setting: Remote geophysical areas of Sudan Main results – Recommendation are made that cover issues around physical work environment, psychosocial work environment and work life balance. Conclusions – The main challenges face by the assessors were in gathering the hard written evidences, logistic requirements, perceptions and cultural/tribal behavioral barrier during process of gathering the necessary input for hia within limited time allocated. One may have to rely on the power of visual observations , other indirect input base on previous similar project and cross references with input of senior project operators and management to get the necessary data for formulation of the reports. Rudimentary demographic data and lack of the statistical input from the local communities/authorities, poses special challenges for the assessors. Well design rapid health impact assessment is a useful pragmatic tool for facilitating wide consultation. In particular engaging key stake holders ( state governments and local population if any) in the very early planning stage of development, and assisting in highlighting changes to maximize the positive health influences on communities as development progress and minimizing the negative impact such as over crowding, community encroachment around the main core activities of exploration, extracting and processing petroleum.